Scotland Suspends Free iPad Program for Council Pay

The Scottish Government has announced the suspension of its Connecting Scotland digital devices program, which provided free iPads and laptops to the digitally excluded, in order to save £10 million to fund council pay deals. Finance Secretary Shona Robison stated that this decision, while difficult, was necessary to finance an additional £77.5 million in pay increases for council workers, aimed at preventing strikes. The program has distributed over 61,000 devices since its inception during the COVID pandemic, but recent reports highlighted that many Scots lack essential digital skills. In addition to the iPad scheme, funding will also be redirected from the Flood Risk Management Programme and free school meals initiatives. Unions are currently evaluating the revised pay offer, which includes a 4.3% increase, amidst concerns that cuts to digital inclusivity programs may exacerbate existing inequalities. The Scottish Government has committed to addressing funding for digital initiatives in future budgets.